#20 - American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)

The distinctive smooth gray bark of the native beech makes it easy to identify in the landscape. This woodland tree becomes a massive specimen, up to 70 feet tall and almost as wide, when given room to spread. In fall, the leaves turn light brown and often remain to rattle in the winter wind. The tree produces a preponderance of beechnuts, small burred fruits that are a major food source for many wildlife species.